Ecclesiastes 2:21

For there is a man whose labour [is] in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it [for] his portion. This also [is] vanity and a great evil.

For there is {H3426} a man {H120} whose labour {H5999} is in wisdom {H2451}, and in knowledge {H1847}, and in equity {H3788}; yet to a man {H120} that hath not laboured {H5998} therein shall he leave {H5414} it for his portion {H2506}. This also is vanity {H1892} and a great {H7227} evil {H7451}.

Here is a man whose work is done with wisdom, knowledge and skill; yet he has to leave it to someone who has put no work into it. This is not only pointless, but a great evil.

When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and he must give his portion to a man who has not worked for it, this too is futile and a great evil.

For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skilfulness; yet to a man that hath not labored therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

Ecclesiastes 2:21 captures a profound lament from the Preacher, often identified with King Solomon, regarding the apparent futility of human labor and achievement. It highlights the frustration of a diligent, wise, and just individual whose accumulated efforts must ultimately be left to another who did not exert any effort.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Ecclesiastes (chapters 1-2) where the Preacher systematically explores various worldly pursuits—from pleasure and wealth to wisdom and great works—to determine if they offer lasting satisfaction or meaning "under the sun." He concludes that all these endeavors, when pursued as ultimate ends, lead to a sense of emptiness and weariness. Verse 21 specifically addresses the vexation found in the transfer of accumulated wealth and wisdom, emphasizing that even the most well-intentioned and productive work is subject to the unpredictable nature of inheritance and succession.

Key Themes

  • The Frustration of Diligent Labor: The verse paints a picture of a person who invests their "labour in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity." This implies not just hard work, but work guided by discernment, understanding, and moral uprightness. Yet, the outcome for the laborer is deeply unsatisfactory.
  • The Injustice of Inheritance: A core complaint is that the fruits of such dedicated effort are left to someone who "hath not laboured therein." This perceived inequity underscores the Preacher's pessimistic outlook on earthly rewards. This theme is echoed earlier when the Preacher considers the burden of leaving one's life's work to an unknown successor.
  • The Pervasive "Vanity" (Hebel): The declaration "This also is vanity" ties this specific grievance directly to the book's overarching theme. The Hebrew word hebel, translated as "vanity," signifies something fleeting, vapor-like, ephemeral, or meaningless in the long run. The Preacher views this transfer of wealth as yet another example of life's inherent lack of ultimate purpose or control when viewed from a purely earthly perspective.
  • "A Great Evil": The addition of "and a great evil" (Hebrew: ra'ah rabbah) intensifies the Preacher's sentiment. It's not just meaningless; it's a profound wrong or calamity from his human viewpoint, highlighting the deep distress caused by this perceived injustice.

Linguistic Insights

The term "vanity" (Hebrew: hebel) is central to Ecclesiastes. It literally means "breath" or "vapor," conveying the idea of something insubstantial, fleeting, and ultimately unsatisfying. It's not necessarily "evil" in a moral sense, but rather "absurd" or "futile" from a human perspective looking for lasting meaning under the sun.

The phrase "in equity" (Hebrew: yosher) emphasizes that the labor described is not only intelligent and informed but also morally upright and just. This makes the ultimate outcome even more perplexing and frustrating for the Preacher, as even righteous work doesn't guarantee a just or lasting reward in this life.

Practical Application

Ecclesiastes 2:21 challenges us to consider the true purpose and lasting value of our work and possessions. While diligent labor, wisdom, and integrity are commendable, this verse reminds us that accumulating earthly treasures alone cannot provide ultimate satisfaction or security. It prompts reflection on:

  • Eternal Perspective: The Preacher's lament underscores the temporary nature of earthly achievements. Believers are encouraged to seek treasures that endure, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 6:19-21, where He contrasts storing up treasures on earth with storing them in heaven.
  • Stewardship, Not Ownership: We are reminded that what we accumulate is ultimately not ours to keep forever. This encourages a mindset of stewardship, using our resources and talents for purposes beyond ourselves, recognizing that all belongs to God.
  • Finding Meaning Beyond Materialism: The verse serves as a caution against placing ultimate hope in financial security, career success, or accumulated knowledge, as these can be fleeting and ultimately passed on to others, often without merit. True meaning is found in aligning our labor with God's purposes and seeking His will as the conclusion of the whole matter.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ecclesiastes 2:17

    ¶ Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun [is] grievous unto me: for all [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.

  • Ecclesiastes 2:18

    Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:2

    But did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:9

    So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, [and] to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:5

    Jehoiakim [was] twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD his God.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:10

    And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.

  • Jeremiah 22:15

    Shalt thou reign, because thou closest [thyself] in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, [and] then [it was] well with him?
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